Meet the 2026 Summer Intern Cohort

Each year, Aii brings in a dynamic set of interns for the summer. In conjunction with The Fund for American Studies, these students live and work in Washington, D.C. and complete coursework in economics and other subject areas. While absorbing all that the nation’s capital has to offer, these interns hit the pavement at networking events, attending Congressional hearings, and more.

The 2026 cohort for Aii includes eight talented undergraduate students each focused on improving their professional skills and gaining real-world experience. Take a look at some highlights this year’s public policy interns.

You can read their work here: Aii.org/tag/intern

Cohort Highlights

8 interns – our second largest cohort ever.

Vincent Stone is a rising junior at the University of Florida studying History and PPE.

Alexandria Redd is a senior at the College of Charleston, from Birmingham, Alabama, studying Economics, International Studies, and Spanish.

Shivom Sadhwani is a Computer Science and Politics student at New York University with a keen interest in infrastructure – developed through his work in housing development and public transportation research.

Francisco Gutierrez, born and raised in Arizona, is an Army Veteran and a junior at Arizona State University.

Owen Williams is a University of Michigan economics student interested in how political institutions and economic forces dictate policy decisions, with a focus on technology, infrastructure, and energy.

Samuel Corral is a rising senior at CSU Northridge majoring in Urban Studies and Planning with an interest in infrastructure research.

Isabel Dean is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a strong interest in economic research and policy.

Will McNairy is an NYU freshman studying Environmental Studies and Politics with a focus on environmental law, who writes for the undergraduate law publication Zeitgeist, drafts appellate briefs for his moot court team, and coaches debate across North America.

Economics

5 our of 8 have a major, minor, or academic focus including economics

• Economics and a minor in statistics
• Urban Studies and Planning
• Economics/International Studies; Spanish minor
• Environmental Studies and Politics
• Economics Major, Creative Writing Minor
• Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership
• Major: Computer Science, Minor: Politics
• History, PPE (Philosophy, Politics, Economics)

7 States

This cohort can be found from coast to coast, studying at universities across 7 states.

• New York University (x2)
• Arizona State University
• University of Pittsburgh
• California State University, Northridge
• University of Florida
• University of Michigan
• College of Charleston

Career Aspirations

I want to work in economics and do something with markets

I want to help plan cities.

I want to analyze market research.

I want to be an environmental lawyer for a federal agency.

I want to have a career in finance and economics.

I want to be a university professor who specializes in teaching political science.

I want to be a software engineer at a company that is involved with the government, transportation, or military defense.

I want to be a constitutional lawyer.

Stay tuned to follow this cohort and all their work. Follow us on LinkedIn to catch the latest analysis and insight into public policy and innovation happening across the nation’s infrastructure landscape.

Written by Benjamin Dierker, Executive Director